Dishwasher issue -- door switch not engaging

[ryner1988]

The dishwasher that came with my apartment is having a problem. The door switch does not engage when the machine is closed. the door just kind of pushes closed, but it does not latch. Not sure how else to describe it.

The strange thing is that the machine runs in this condition. I can pull the door open all the way and it still runs. This honestly wouldn't be a very big deal, but since the door isn't securely latched, there's a small leak around the edges and soap and water puddle on the floor.

I tried to get the model number from the label on the right side of the tub opening, right where the wall starts. My software that describes photos to me couldn't pick that information up, but I was able to make out that it is a Frigidaire dishwasher, made in China. It was here when we moved in, around 9 years ago.

Any ideas what might be going on?

Ryne

 

[wayupnorth]

Since you are renting your apartment, the dishwasher must belong to the landlord. I would contact them and explain the situation and it is their responsibility to either repair or replace, not you.

 

[ea56]

The switch is engaging if the DW runs with the door closed, but not latched Ryne, it’s the latch that’s not engaging.  Without being able to see it myself it’s hard to say what may be causing the latch to not engage.  Possibly something got lodged in the opening that is preventing the latch to fully engage?

 

At any rate this could become an huge problem if the door decides to flop open while the DW is running and floods your kitchen and maybe your downstairs neighbors.  I’d be calling the apartment super or manager ASAP  and request that they get your DW repairs ASAP before this situation becomes a VERY expensive remediation expense due to water damage.

 

In the meantime if you must run the DW while the latch isn’t engaging I’d recommend that you push something heavy up against the door to hold it in place, but since you’re visually impaired this will also pose a safety hazard for you as something you may forget about and trip over.  Do yourself a favor and light a  fire under the building management to have them get this fixed!  

 

Good Luck!

 

Eddie

 

[combo52]

Probably a bad door latch assembly

On a Frigidaire dishwasher, is this a 24 inch or an 18 inch model I wasn’t aware of any 24 inch models that are made in China with the Frigidaire name on them.

I would keep using it just throw a towel down on the kitchen floor in front of it to catch any drips there’s no likelihood that the door is gonna open while the dishwasher is running That’s for sure.

And get after the management company I’m sure this isn’t the first one of these dishwashers they’ve ever had break, lol

John

 

[estesguy]

I had this same problem on a Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher when I moved into my unit Oct 2019. I noticed the sloshing sounds of the water seems louder than I thought they should be. So I decided to open the door and see if I could figure out the cause. To my surprise it kept on running. I called the landlord and he replaced the latch assembly I guess, as it ran fine after that, until last spring when the pump started making weird noises and the touchpad got to where I had to press the start button numerous times. He replaced it with a MOL Whirlpool

 

[appnut]

He replaced it with a MOL Whirlpool

At least you now have a decent dishwasher.

 

[ryner1988]

Update

Apartment maintenance is here installing new dishwasher now. I hope he does it correctly, because I can just kinda tell he's flying by the seat of his pants. I'll update again once the machine is in place and I've used it a time or two.

 

[ryner1988]

Lots of banging around, and the dude just said "holy shit they have me doing the craziest stuff." That's a bit scary!

 

[ryner1988]

Ugh, bad news...

New DW won't fit. Apparently maintenance supervisor didn't account for this being an ADA unit when ordering the machine. Thus, it's too tall because our countertops are shorter than average.

They've left the machine here and all of there crap. He says he'll be back with hopefully a machine that fits so they don't have to cut anything out or tear anything up.

I've always hated the short countertops, and here they are presenting an issue once again.

 

[steved]

ADA compliant

Frigidaire does make an ADA compliant model dishwasher - it's only 32 1/4" high. I do remember seeing one on display at Lowes and it was made in China. Stainless steel interior, but with a different washing system than other Frig models.

 

[ryner1988]

Reply #9

Thanks for that, Frigidaire is generally what they use here for all the kitchen appliances so I imagine that's what they'll end up getting me. I believe it was a Frigidaire DW they brought today, but it was 34" high and wouldn't fit into the space because I believe the counter is 33" maybe a touch more.

I sure wish they would just let me buy it myself and have it professionally installed, then they could pay me back however much they normally spend on dishwashers. I'd just consider it a hefty discount and spring for something like a Bosch in that case.

 

[mark_wpduet]

My dishwasher replacement story from 2014 was a freaking nightmare money wise...So family works for Whirlpool so I got a Maytag stainless dishwasher at a small discout that was delivered here.. (now approaching 11 years old Still works fine and I've loved this dishwasher over the years). My problem was it was summer 2014 and it had been sitting boxed up in my kitchen and I don't mess with plumbing myself although I have fixed a toilet a couple of times. I called a company that is now defunct and they came out to install it. I was so glad becuase I had been doing dishes by hand for 2 weeks. At that time, I needed my kitchen faucet dripping fixed since he was here... He did a meticulous job installing the dishwasher but he charged me $500 freaking dollars and yes I could have totally said NO.. It was one of those moments where you didn't care. you just wanted it installed... then later you start thinking about how ridiculous that is and you start getting mad. I'm totally OVER it now and the fact that this dishwasher has lasted so long with no issues I guess I've well made up for it at this point... It was less than a year later that that company (a huge company at that time in Lexington) went under...I don't like seeing companies go out of biz but a little part of me was GLAD..

I would have been better off just buying it at a big box store and paying for them to install it because the discount was totally erased and then some!

Thank God it's given me NO issues at all over the years and still seems like it has a lot of life left in it.

 

[combo52]

ADA dishwashers

Almost everybody carries the shorter ADA dishwasher they all seem to be made in China. I just sold a GE one yesterday. You can also get the Frigidaire unit. Or a whirlpool.

The little 18 inch dishwashers are pretty much all ADA except possibly Bosch or Mila. I'm not sure.

Some Bosch models may fit, but I sure wouldn't want one. However these Chinese 24 inch machines are probably no better.

John

 

[ryner1988]

I noticed something today...

My laminate countertop can lift off the cabinetry if you lift up on the front of the countertop. Not sure if I'm explaining it right, but I wonder if someone could hold the countertop up slightly while a dishwasher is moved into place. I don't know if this would compromise the structure of the countertop and cabinetry, I don't know a lot about these things but just spitballing. Anybody know if this would be worth mentioning to landlord/maintenance at all? They may not be aware.

 

[ryner1988]

Maintenance man poked his head in around 5:00 this evening to tell me that they have the right size DW and he'll be installing it in the morning. Fingers crossed it goes properly this time.

 

[appnut]

My eyes are crpssed!!!